Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Washington’s stance on India’s oil purchases from Moscow, pointing to US imports of Russian nuclear fuel. state visit It aims to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening and was warmly received at the airport by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embraced the Russian leader in a rare gesture that highlighted their personal rapport.
The visit comes as India faces growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchase of discounted Russian crude.
In an interview with Indian Broadcasting Corporation before his arrival, Putin questioned the logic behind Washington’s criticism.
“The United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” he said, adding that if the United States had the right to buy Russian fuel, India should enjoy “the same privilege”.
Modi posted on social media that he was “pleased to welcome my friend President Putin to India” and called their relationship “a time-tested relationship that has greatly benefited our people.”
After hugging on the tarmac, the two drove to Modi’s official residence for a private dinner.
Al Jazeera’s Neha Punia, reporting from New Delhi, said the reception sent a clear message.
“Experts say President Putin’s warm reception [shows] “He is not a pariah and some countries will accept him despite pressure from the West” over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she said. She added that Modi wanted to send a signal “that he will not bow to pressure from Donald Trump”.
Putin defended the energy relationship, telling Indian media that cooperation with India “has not been affected by political fluctuations or the tragic events in Ukraine.”
He accused unnamed actors of trying to “restrict India for political reasons” given its growing international role.
The visit highlights India’s delicate balancing act between Moscow and Washington. India’s oil imports from Russia have soared from only 2.5% of total crude oil purchases before 2022 to nearly 36% currently, making it the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian oil.
Indian refiners saved about $12.20 a barrel by buying discounted Russian crude.
However, Trump has imposed A 50% tariff on Indian goods in retaliation, as well as recent U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil producers, have begun forcing Indian refiners to reduce purchases.
Reliance, India’s largest private refiner, has announced it will stop exporting petroleum products produced from Russian crude.
Putin and Modi are expected to hold formal summit talks on Friday and announce deals covering defense cooperation, shipping, health care and labor mobility.
Russia is pushing to sell more S-400 missile defense systems and Su-57 stealth fighter jets to India, while the two sides aim to reach $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, although that goal now looks far away as oil imports decline.
